Padua is one of four locations in the world where water is known to be heavily polluted with PFCs.

Scientists found that men who grew up in the area had significantly smaller penises.

Results revealed that the average penis was around half an inch shorter when flaccid as well as being noticeably thinner.

Study authors believe river pollution from the run-off of a chemical factory and wastewater treatment plant could be behind the increased levels of PFCs in the area.

Men exposed to the chemicals had penises on average around half an inch shorter [Photo: Getty]

Commenting on the findings lead study author Andrea Di Nisio said: “This study documents that PFCs have a substantial impact on human male health as they directly interfere with hormonal pathways potentially leading to male infertility.

“We found that increased levels of PFCs in plasma and seminal fluid positively correlate with circulating testosterone and with a reduction of semen quality, testicular volume, penile length, and AGD [anogenital distance].”

Worryingly, the impact of the chemicals could have been experienced since the 70s.

“As the first report on water contamination of PFCs goes back to 1977, the magnitude of the problem is alarming,” Dr Di Nisio explained. “It affects an entire generation of young individuals, from 1978 onwards.”